Those not so great sales and earnings numbers I’ve mentioned in the past week make me wonder, why aren’t motorcycles selling in greater numbers due to the price of gas alone? If we can get 40 or 50mpg and sometimes far more, that alone should help sales especially with many motorcycles being far less expensive than the average car or truck.
The problem with that idea may be the primary use of the vehicle. How many riders use their bike every day to commute or run errands or visit friends and relatives? Nowhere near the number that could, I would guess. Motorcycles are more special use than all purpose vehicles. In large parts of the country, where I live for instance, motorcycles are limited by weather. No matter what gas prices are, you don’t ordinarily ride from mid November through late March at the very least, sometimes you can add a month on both ends. In the warmer climates where riding is almost or completely year round, I wonder if gas prices affect sales.
If gas prices can’t propel bike sales, what would? Are they so sensitive to general economic trends that people eliminate motorcycles whenever times are a little rough? Would some new designs catch the interest of buyers and have them flocking to dealer showrooms?
I don’t have any answers here but the earnings reports make a person think. Ideas?
James says
I think that in warmer climates high gas costs would spur motorcycle sales, but for the average person in “middle America” who doesn’t want to deal with the cold, a motorcycle is not a replacement for a car year round.
While the temps do get down to freezing here in the San Francisco Bay Area, luckily it is not often and and specialized gear helps me ride every day. My wife and I save thousands a year riding my motorcycle to work instead of the car; more if you factor in the time savings. But you do have to be ready for the cold, wet and wind.
There is also the mindset that there are crazy fringe-of-society people who are motorcyclists and then regular cagers. It can take a lot of energy to break through that stereotype barrier and once you do you realize that we are just regular people.
hoyt says
“You meet the nicest people on a Honda”….
to increase motorcycle sales in tough markets, manufacturers need to tap into new buyers and former buyers. Honda seemed to pull it off years ago with their “nice” marketing strategy and a product that backed up their mission. The Honda Dream…small bike with a bench seat for passenger comfort.
The market segment that doesn’t really know much about motorcycles probably only knows about the powerful, long choppers, thanks to pop culture choppertv. Those bikes aren’t exactly a beginner bike and they aren’t exactly an errand bike. What about stylish, bench seat-type bikes with functional saddlebags and a reasonably-sized engine for new riders or rusty riders? Is Triumph selling the Bonneville and Thruxton? how about sidecars?
I have never understood why H-D never built a true beginner bike. H-D, take a look at Hyosung’s 250 cc cruiser (new rider sales). H-D should also seriously consider building a sport-tourer with the Revolution engine from the V-Rod (new sales from existing and former riders). A sport tourer to compete with the Triumph Sprint, Honda VFR, & Ducati ST…not the Street Rod that doesn’t know what it should be or who will buy it.
Kevin White says
I’ve commuted a few times, but it’s just not real practical to put all the gear on for the trip and then change clothes at work. The parking area isn’t very motorcycle-friendly at my job. Factor in the idiot commuters, the cold days, the rain days, the days when I have to transport materials to work or from work, the days when somebody needs a ride to work, etc., and of course the fact that the gate at my apartment won’t open for my motorcycle, and commuting on the bike isn’t the best choice.